What Is Your Opinion On Harness Bars And Roll Over Safety?

[RoadRacer78]

I read something recently where someone mentioned that harness bars will probably kill you in a roll over if your roof pancakes (which S197's do frequently). You're trapped sitting straight u[p in your seat by the belts/ harness bar, roof pancakes, you get a lot shorter.

I know lots of people run harness bars. Do they not know the risk? Are they just willing to take it?

I have a S550. I'm not sure if the rollover protection of them is a lot better than a S197.

I'm 99.99% going to go with the Watson bar. But I wanted harnesses in before next weekend and I don't have the time to put a bar in (as nicely as I would like to do it) and I started thinking options. I really don't want a harness bar. But I really do want some harnesses. My first track day wore me the fork out trying to stay in the seat! And holding my whole body back with my left foot while on the brakes was getting pretty tiring by the end of the day.

And roll bars look cool.

I'm going to attempt to make a poll........Hey look, I did it!

 

[Mike_FL]

I would go for a roll bar instead of the harness bar. Some track day organizers will say you have to run a roll bar if you have a harness. Some also say you have to have a HANS device (or similar) if running a harness.

 

[1 old racer]

Do yourself a solid and get the roll bar and a neck support and if the things go upside down you will stay in one piece to tell the tell

 

[Bill Pemberton]

I would say that a harness bar is a really good option for autocrossing because belts really keep your butt in the seat. Keeping yourself secure and steady is key to going fast with all those transitions flopping your body around if you are not fastened down to the max. Once you are doing plenty of track time a rollbar is the best choice and it will give you support for harness belts, cameras, and even some structural stiffness that could be helpful for your car under high g's.

Nice idea and congrats on getting your poll up and running.